Hello, my name is Christian Koskorelos, and I've been playing tennis since at the age of ten. I first learned tennis at the Overpeck Park, in Leonia, NJ by hitting against the wall. About a few months later, I soon hit the courts and played with all the adults. Every day after school and during the summer I played. Sometimes, I didn't even do my homework. By playing every day, I became better and soon entered my first tournament at the Fort Lee Racquet Club and I actually won! I entered three more and won the next one! But, I lost the last two. One in the finals, the other in the semifinals. After Fort Lee Racquet Club tournaments, I entered the USTA and played number one singles for my high school in Leonia. I played number one singles three out of four years and won MVP three times. I had a winning record all four years. My junior year I played number two singles. I always made it to the county tournament but never won it. At the same time, I was playing USTA tournaments in the east coast and I had a ranking in Boys 16s, of #66. Competition was tough, but I did better in Level 2 tournaments and was the number one player by the end of the year. I never had formal lessons in tennis, I learned on my own. The only lessons or close to instruction was the Binghamton Junior Academy in Edgewater, NJ, Fort Lee Racquet Club on Friday nights, and Haworth Racquet Club with my friends. Drills were mostly competition. My real practice partner was the wall at the park and the adults. High school tennis, USTA, and the park all proved to be tough, but eventually college rolled around the corner, and I went to Lynn University in Boca Raton, Florida where I played number six singles. That was by far, my best year in tennis, playing in the warm sun, with awesome teammates from all over the world, and traveling from school to school. We finished number three in the nation in Division II in 1997. Unfortunately, I transferred, and went to Sacred Heart University where I played number one singles for two years. Playing number one singles was certainly different then number six. I still had a winning record in Fairfield, Connecticut, but ended up transferring again! I went to Fairleigh Dickinson University in Teaneck, NJ where I played number four singles. Eventually, I graduated in 2001. College tennis was a tough road, but I did travel a lot, to states like Missouri, New Hampshire, South Carolina, Georgia, Florida, Pennsylvania, and New York. But after college, it was time for work. But after graduation, I received a phone call from a top junior coach and he wanted me to work for him! by teaching! For four years, I hit with the best junior players around Bergen County, and made a name for myself. Also, one year, I worked at the Alpine Country Club, in Alpine assisting the head pro. However, four years later, I took a job at the Nick Bolletieri Tennis Academy in Bradenton, Florida where I met Tommy Haas! Mary Pierce! Max Myrini! Jennifer Capriati! It was like a dream job! The job was a seasonal position, and I met coaches and players from all over the world! We lived off campus and had a bunch of laughs and fun. I played and taught many hours on the court but after two months in the hot Florida sun, it was time for my next adventure, California. I landed a job in Sacramento California at the Gorin Tennis Academy and this was a job, I'd never forget. I met Dmitry Tursonov!!! The 20th ranked player in the world from Russia! I met a whole group of wonderful people and students I'd never forget. I had my own room and when tennis was over, everyone had fun. Once again, another dream job. I stayed a month from November to December, and found another academy in Ojai, California called Mark Weil Tennis Academy. Beautiful place! Surrounded by mountains and a town with a culture of art, we played from morning to night. I met people from all over the world! It was hard work, and I lasted a week in the small pretty town of Ojai. After my experience working in different states, I headed back to NJ, and worked indoor clubs! I worked everywhere, I mean, Fort Lee Racquet Club for a year and a half, Tenafly Raquet Club as an instructor, Bogota Racquet Club helping kids. Indoors was where I was most of the time. Then, by chance, I got the job at Saddlebrook Tennis Resort in Tampa and then I ran into James Blake! and John Isner! More tennis celebrities! I met the director of Saddlebrook and worked a full week, but it was time to come home. What a week, teaching and playing on every surface, long hours, and meeting people from all over the world. After Saddlebrook, I headed back indoors and concentrated more on playing. I landed a job at the Murray Hill Racquet Club, an indoor club in New Providence, NJ. I met another tennis celebrity! I worked there for about two months, then flew out to Naples, Florida and received my teaching certificate two years in a row! I'm certified! Then, after receiving my certificate from Emilio Sanchez, the world's number one doubles player at one point, I like I said before, concentrated more on playing and that's when I discovered the Overpeck Park again back in 2009. The wall was still there, standing tall, and I met a whole bunch of people. We practiced for hours and hours and I did this for about, four years, 2009 to the present time. Eventually, we got new courts, two more extra courts, new walls, and lights. I met people from all walks of life. And let's not forget from 1993, I never missed a year going to the US Open in Flushing, NY. The US Open in August/September is where I could be found. I never miss a beat.